MTI senior wins car for perfect attendance

Marion Technical Institute senior Ira Gilmore, 18, was stunned as the big winner of the new 2014 Honda Civic LX at Honda of Ocala Wednesday afternoon, May 28, 2014, as part of the Perfect Car for Perfect Attendance Giveaway. Gilmore was one of the 103 Marion County High school seniors with perfect attendance during the 2013-2014. A total of 12 iPad Airs were also given away, one to each school except Forest and Wet Port, which had two winners.

Published: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 8:08 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 8:08 p.m.

Marion Technical Institute senior Ira Gilmore jumped into his rusting 2005 Dodge Neon on Wednesday evening to get to Honda of Ocala.

As he stood in the audience, hoping to be the winner of a new car for having perfect attendance, he dropped his iPhone and cracked the screen.

As he stared at his screen, he suddenly heard his name drawn from a box of 103 other Marion County high schools seniors who had perfect attendance.

A few seconds passed and the audience screamed in disbelief, thinking Gilmore had missed his chance, since the student had to be present to win. That's when the thin 18-year-old Gilmore appeared from the back with a shy smile.

About 200 people standing around him yelled as he grabbed a microphone to say something about his new $22,616 car – a 2014 Honda Civic LX.

“Stay in school,” he said to a round of laughter. “Work hard to achieve.”

Honda of Ocala, a member of the Morgan Automotive Group, announced the winner of the “Perfect Car for Perfect Attendance Giveaway” at 7 p.m., moments after 12 other seniors from 10 schools won iPads.

It was the fourth annual event held at the dealership at 1800 SW College Road. General Manager Steve Hoggle, along with Regional Director Tom Moore, gave away the iPads to each of the students before Gilmore's moment.

Parents were not eligible to claim the prizes. Each winning student had to be in the building to win.

The annual car give-away is a partnership between Honda of Ocala and Marion County Public Schools to encourage local high school students to have perfect attendance during their senior year.

In 2011, Hoggle said Honda of Ocala wanted to find a way to give back to the community. That's when Moore came up with the car give-away and it was approved by dealership owner Larry Morgan.

The School District was responsible for verifying official attendance and eligibility of students registered in the contest. The winner will have to pay the sales tax on the vehicle, roughly $1,380. Hoggle said the car and the iPad Air devices cost $30,000.

Gilmore said he would figure something out to get the money so he could drive away in his new ride.

“I have had many repairs” in recent months on his Neon, Gilmore said. He added that he brought a friend, thinking he would be able to drive away with his new gift. That will come in the next few days.

Joe Callahan can be reached at 867-4113 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com.

<p>Marion Technical Institute senior Ira Gilmore jumped into his rusting 2005 Dodge Neon on Wednesday evening to get to Honda of Ocala.</p><p>As he stood in the audience, hoping to be the winner of a new car for having perfect attendance, he dropped his iPhone and cracked the screen.</p><p>As he stared at his screen, he suddenly heard his name drawn from a box of 103 other Marion County high schools seniors who had perfect attendance.</p><p>A few seconds passed and the audience screamed in disbelief, thinking Gilmore had missed his chance, since the student had to be present to win. That's when the thin 18-year-old Gilmore appeared from the back with a shy smile.</p><p>About 200 people standing around him yelled as he grabbed a microphone to say something about his new $22,616 car – a 2014 Honda Civic LX.</p><p>“Stay in school,” he said to a round of laughter. “Work hard to achieve.”</p><p>Honda of Ocala, a member of the Morgan Automotive Group, announced the winner of the “Perfect Car for Perfect Attendance Giveaway” at 7 p.m., moments after 12 other seniors from 10 schools won iPads.</p><p>It was the fourth annual event held at the dealership at 1800 SW College Road. General Manager Steve Hoggle, along with Regional Director Tom Moore, gave away the iPads to each of the students before Gilmore's moment.</p><p>Parents were not eligible to claim the prizes. Each winning student had to be in the building to win.</p><p>The annual car give-away is a partnership between Honda of Ocala and Marion County Public Schools to encourage local high school students to have perfect attendance during their senior year.</p><p>In 2011, Hoggle said Honda of Ocala wanted to find a way to give back to the community. That's when Moore came up with the car give-away and it was approved by dealership owner Larry Morgan.</p><p>The School District was responsible for verifying official attendance and eligibility of students registered in the contest. The winner will have to pay the sales tax on the vehicle, roughly $1,380. Hoggle said the car and the iPad Air devices cost $30,000.</p><p>Gilmore said he would figure something out to get the money so he could drive away in his new ride.</p><p>“I have had many repairs” in recent months on his Neon, Gilmore said. He added that he brought a friend, thinking he would be able to drive away with his new gift. That will come in the next few days.</p><p><i>Joe Callahan can be reached at 867-4113 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com.</i></p>